Not mending fences: Neighborly dispute leads to driveway drama

The Williams family tells News 12 that their neighbor built a fence that has taken out half of their driveway – leaving the couple only 3 feet to work with.

News 12 Staff

Aug 21, 2019, 10:05 PM

Updated 1,878 days ago

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After 42 years of living on Fletcher Drive in Newburgh, a couple says a dispute with their neighbors has become ugly.
The Williams family tells News 12 that their neighbor built a fence that has taken out half of their driveway – leaving the couple only 3 feet to work with.
"We figured they were going to put it on the line of the grass,” says Claire Williams. “They didn't say they were putting it smack dab in the middle of the driveway."
Williams' neighbor Jason Valik sent News 12 a copy of his property survey, showing that he owns the land currently occupied by the driveway.
He says he gave the Williams' three years to make other arrangements before ultimately drawing the line.
"It's sad that it had to come to him being vindictive now,” says Williams. “He wants to prove to everyone that’s his property and he can do whatever he wants."
Jason Valik says he hired an attorney before making those changes to the driveway and was told as the property's owner, he had the right to do so.